Friday, July 17, 2009

Busy Week

We all have busy weeks, but this has been exceptional for me. Last year our garden was not so good, but this year it is. We have canned beans almost every day, except today. It is raining and the garden will probably be flooded. It will be next week before my husband can pick them.

Our friend's son is getting married tomorrow. The bride asked another friend to direct the wedding. She in turn asked me to help. Tonight is the rehearsal dinner and tomorrow the wedding. Of course it is out of town and we need to go early to help with getting the rehearsal dinner together. Hopefully the rehearsal will go smooth and we will get home early.

This week there has been very little writing accomplished. Next week is going to be as busy, if not busier, than this week. I've always heard that busy people get more things done, but right now I am doubting that.

Have a good week-end.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

One Quick Blog

There are less than fifteen minutes before I need to get ready to leave, so this will be quick.

For the last several weeks I have gotten behind reading the blogs that I get each day. This morning, I took a few minutes to read Michael Hyatt's blog. It has changed my day.

Michael is the president of Thomas Nelson Publishing and I am amazed that with his busy schedule he takes the time to daily write a blog for writers. His message is so uplifting.

This morning he wrote about things that happen and how you look at them. Haven't we all said, "I can't write today. I have too much to do." Instead what if we said, "I need to get everything finished early so I can write." Isn't that more positive.

This week-end I attended a webinar with Tiffany Colter. One thing we talked about was doing more positive things. In writing we are our only co-workers and we all have lives outside of the computer. So many times we get bogged down and then have a writers block. Instead take a day to day dream. I loved that idea. Plan your next book or maybe you have one in the back of your head that you seem to never have the time to plot. Relax and do it. You will be amazed how rested you feel and you did get work accomplished.

Do you "write" in your head while you do other things? I do. I think about the book while I am folding clothes, doing dishes, dust mopping, etc. It is amazing how that character comes to life when I think about him or her. Right now I am trying to make Jacob a man any woman will love. I've just made him pleasant before. He is going to have character, so I will be thinking about him today. I've held him at bay for a reason and I didn't realize what it was until Tiffany told me Saturday. I can't reveal it yet, but you will learn in the second book.

I've got to run, but I hope everyone has a scrumptious day.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Rushing

Does it seem you are rushing all the time? I do. Sometimes I wonder how I will get through the day. I know I need to work on my book, but there is housework to be done, a garden to freeze and can, visits to be made and a lot more. So much goes undone that it scares me.

Lately I have had a horrible time with my joints. I didn't think getting older would be this bad. The pain was controlling my life and I didn't like that. I could only sit at the computer a few minutes before I was in so much pain that I could barely walk. I had enough!

Yesterday I went to the doctor and finally someone listened. I am now on a arthritis pain medication. This was the first morning I could get out of bed without pain in years. I have more energy already and I wonder what it will be like when this medication gets into my system.

Today I feel like I may be able to start exercising again. I haven't been able to do that in two months and I feel so much better when I can.

Yesterday I worked on my book more and cut out a purse to make for Examiner.com. I need to finish it today. I stood up and cut it out without any trouble. The scissors dd not hurt my hand. This was wonderful and I hope it continues.

I am so thankful for our medical professionals who can treat us. Today is the best I have felt in years.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Finally Blogger is back

I'm so glad to have blogger back. I couldn't write for several days and I don't know what was wrong with it. I do miss writing.

Let's see what has happened. I finished the re-write I was working on and now I am going over and bringing more character out of my characters. Well, that doesn't sound right, but you writers know. I don't tell my emotions well and that is what I am doing now. It's hard for me to do that, but I am improving. I hate to dig down to the bottom of my soul, but it is coming along more natural.

My sister had knee replacement yesterday. We were worried about her having surgery, but she went through this very well. The doctor ordered a spinal. She was not put in a deep sleep and her heart did not start racing. She will have surgery on her heart when the knee recovers.

My garden is coming in. I have canned beans and have more to can today. I"d better get busy, but I need to go to the grocery store and buy more can lids. I'm out and they won't can without them. Have a super day!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Tomorrow's the 4th of July

Tomorrow we will celebrate our independence. All of us need to be thankful for what we have and try hard to make sure it remains as it is. Our fore fathers fought hard to gain our freedom and we should work hard to maintain it.

Pray for the President and the Leaders of the whole world to make the right decisions. We are in perilous times with so much going on in the world. Write to your senators and representatives and let them know how you want to be represented. Keep our freedom.

In researching for a historical novel, I have been impressed by what the men and women were searching for. They wanted a life that would be peaceful and free from tyranny. They wanted their children to grow up in a free country. Don't we want the same today? We should treasure our freedom and remember we did not always have it.

I'm going to write an article about Besty Ross and the flag for the Examiner. She must have been a quilter. She sacrificed a lot to make that first flag. Let's remember the freedom we have and have a wonderful 4th of July.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Surprised about Examiner

This morning I was very surprised to see the activity on my page at the Examiner. If you went there, thank you. The more people clicking in, the better. I know some of you are writers and if you would be interested in becoming an examiner and making some money, please let me know. I would love for you to sign up under me.

The best thing about Examiner is you do it as often as you want to. If you are a dedicated writer and trying to make money before you publish, this is a good way to go. Being an Examiner will look good on you bio. It is not a pyramid program, but I do get paid if someone signs in from my recommendation. We all have something we know about and can report on. It is also a good way to hone your writing skills.

It is quiet today for the first time in several days. The roof is on the closet, or maybe I should say room, and the workers are gone for a few days. It is moving along well. I am anxious to get it finished and move in.

This is a good day. I have already gotten things accomplished and have more work to do. I plan to write several hours today to make corrections. This is the slowest thing for me. The brain will be going on overtime before night. Have a good day yourself.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Back to Work

Finally I am able to work again. It was good to get back to writing. It is also good to feel like writing and thinking. You don't know what you miss until you can't do it.

My first article was published yesterday for Examiner.com. You can access it by going to www.examiner.com/x-15450-Nashville-Quilting-Examiner. I am getting another one ready for today.

The more I write, the more I improve. I can see such a big difference from when I started. It's just like cooking. The more you cook and learn new recipes, the better cook you should become. At least most of the time.

Our little group of writers are the most precious people I know. I am so blessed by their comments and encouragements. Even some who read this blog and make comments are encouraging to me. It means a lot when I see a comment. At least someone has read what I said.

My plans are to finish my current book by convention. I am trying hard to do that. I want it edited and ready to go by then. That gives me 2.5 months to get it ready. If I can work several hours a day, I can do it. I am dedicated to finishing it before then. I hope I can do it by August 30. We will see.

The guys are roofing the closet today. It is big, but I hope I can have chests in it and a place to sew and store my stash of material. We will have so much room. My clothes will not be squeezed between each other.

Have a good day.